OSU Presenter Ed Peachy talks about weed concerns.
Are you a small fruit or fresh market vegetable farmer? If so, you’ll want to join colleagues from around the region for the 63rd annual North Willamette Horticulture Society Conference and Trade Show. This year’s event will be held at the Clackamas County Event Center on January 9-11, 2018, and registration is open for both attendees and exhibitors.
What is the North Willamette Horticulture Society?
The North Willamette Horticulture Society is a group of farmers, OSU Extension agents, and other agricultural professionals who gather each January to learn the latest news in organic and conventional vegetable and berry production. Speakers come from near and far, from local farmers and Oregon State University Extension researchers to national (and sometimes international) experts.
The Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District has been a long-time supporter of this annual event. District staff provides valuable information to conference attendees in both the trade showroom and in presentations or panel discussions. Professional suppliers including seed and amendment producers, equipment distributors, and organizations who support Oregon agriculture also attend this popular event each year as exhibitors. As a bonus, pesticide re-certification credits are typically offered to participants.
Farmers and agricultural professionals from around the region meet each January.
Purpose and Objectives of the North Willamette Horticulture Society
- to promote and advance the industry of growing and harvesting berries, fruits and vegetables, and other horticultural crops
- to promote better acquaintance and closer association between those engaged in such industry
- to encourage the best methods of growing and handling berries, fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural crops
- to establish a medium for the regular and periodical dissemination of information pertaining to such activity
- to cooperate in matters of legislation and other matters of general interest to its members
Exhibitors share their latest technology, products, and cultivars with conference attendees.
History of the North Willamette Horticulture Society
In 1956, farmers in the Parkrose and Gresham area joined together to form an organization that would help them solve some of the problems they faced in growing small fruit and fresh market vegetables. This organization became the North Willamette Horticultural Society. From the beginning, Oregon State College Extension helped to organize their annual meetings. The agenda for the meetings was set by the farmers and was designed to provide practical information and the latest research to help solve real-world problems.
The Society was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in February 1986 and was organized exclusively for charitable and education purposes. In 2007, the annual conference moved to its current location at the Clackamas County Event Center in Canby. In 2008, the conference expanded to include a section on organic crops. OSU Extension continues to help organize the annual meetings. A board of directors representing farmers from vegetable, berry, and organic production oversees the conference contents.
This year’s 3-day conference is scheduled as follows. Register for one, two, or all three days. General registration includes breakfast and lunch.
- January 9 – Vegetable section
- January 10 – Organic crops section
- January 11 – Berry section
For more information, please contact Jan Egli at 971-373-5912.
